Bracelet construction



Feb.) 17, 1942.

E. PRESTINARI 1a1-'u\.czELF'1v CONSTRUCTION Filed Feb. 15, 1959 2Sheets-Sheet 1 l Il, llllllfllfllllllllllll 'lill/ll'lll/111111111111111I7/ /0 QINVENTOR EBu en Pi'esinarzl 9M www 2 EIS-4 ATTORNEYS Feb.,17,1942.

Ew. PRESTINARI BRACELET CONSTRUCTION Filed Feb. 15, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet2 TRV E.

ATTORNEYS Patented Feb. 17, 1942 BRACELET CONSTRUCTION Eugen Prestinar,Summit, N. J., assigner to Gemex Company, Newark, N. J., a corporationof New Jersey Application February 15, 1939, Serial No. 256,478

3 Claims.

This invention relates to a bracelet construction and more particularlya device for connecting the two free ends of a bracelet together with amethod of assembling certain parts thereof.

One of the objects of this invention is to provide a construction of theabove character which will be neat and attractive in appearance. Anotherobject is to provide a construction of the above character which may bemanufactured from inexpensive materials Without undue labor expense.Another object is to provide a construction of the above character whichwill be sturdy and Well able to withstand hard usage. Another object isto provide a construction of the above character which has a minimumnumber of individual parts thus greatly facilitating the assemblythereof. Another object is to provide a construction of the abovecharacter wherein the free end of the bracelet may be easily connectedor disconnected but at the same time cannot be inadvertentlydisconnected. Another object is to provide a method of assemblingcertain parts of the above construction which will be economical and beproductive of a sturdy con' struction. Other objects will be in partobvious and in part pointed out hereinafter.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction,combinations of elements, arrangements of parts andin the several stepsand relation and order of each of the same to one or more of the others,all as will be illustratively described herein, and the scope of theapplication of which will be indicated in the following claims.

In the accompanying drawings in Which is shown one of the variouspossible embodiments of this invention,

Figure 1 is a top plan View of the two sections of a watch bracelethaving my connecting device attached thereto;

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the bracelet shown in Figure 1 asconnected;

Figure 3 is a side elevation of the bracelet shown in Figure 1 with theparts disconnected;

Figure 4 is an enlarged vertical sectional View of the connecting devicewith the parts connected;

Figure 5 is a vertical sectional view similar to Figure 4 with the partsdisconnected;

Figure 6 is a vertical sectional View taken along the line 6-6 of Figure4;

Figure 7 is a vertical sectional view taken along the line I--1 ofFigure 4;

Figure 8 is a top plan view of one section of the connector with certainparts thereof removed and before assembly;

Figure 9 is a top plan view similar to Figure 8 showing another stage ofassembly;

Figure 10 is similar to Figures 8 and 9 with additional parts addedduring assembly; and

Figure 11 is a top plan view of this section of the construction ascompletely assembled.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout theseveral views of the drawings.

As conducive to a clearer understanding of certain features of thisinvention, it might here be pointed out that Watch bracelets having twoindividual sections of the flat continuous type are often preferred bymany people over the open bracelets of the chain type. Thus, many ofthese flat type continuous bracelets are of a flexible metalconstruction and are so proportioned that portions of each of thesections overlap each other. This type of bracelet must therefore beprovided with a fastening device which may be operated to secure the two`parts together in a reliable manner and yet permit easy disconnection.The connectors which are now available for this purpose arecharacterized by complexity of structure but more important they are difcult to operate. Those connectors which are reliable and will not becomeinadvertently displaced are hard to connect and disconnect. Furthermore,those connectors which may be easily connected and disconnected are notreliable, this being bothersome and sometimes resulting in the loss ofthe bracelet and Watch. One of the objects of this invention is toprovide a construction in which these several diiculties aresuccessfully and practically overcome.

Referring now to the drawings, there is shown in Figure l a braceletcomprising a pair of sections generally indicated at Il] and II providedwith suitable hasps I2 and I3 or the like for attachment in the usualmanner to a Watch case. Although sections Il] and Il may be made fromany suitable material, they are preferably metallic and quite flexible.Thus, sections I0 and II include some flexible metallic base such asWire mesh (not shown) with flat metal stock I4 Wound thereabout thusgiving the bracelet a desired smoothness with ample flexibility.

As best shown in Figures 2 and 3, portions of sections IU and II overlapeach other and section Il) has secured to its end an eye portion I5through which section II is threaded. Thus, sections I0 and II aremaintained in overlapping relationship and the end of section Il is con--released with the finger nail or the like.

nected at any desired point to section I8 in a manner to be presentlydescribed. A latch part generally indicated at I6 is connected to theend of section II and is constructed to lock with a clamp membergenerally indicated at I1 and slidably mounted on section I withsuitable provision for clamping it in any position therealong. Thus, thetotal length of the bracelet may be varied considerably by merelyadjusting the p0- sition of clamp member I1.

Clamp member I1 includes a channel shaped housing part generallyindicated at |8 having, as viewed in Figures 4, and 6, a bottom I9resting on one side of section I0 and side walls and 2| adjacent theedges of section I0. As best seen in Figures 4 and 6, side walls 20 and2| extend a substantial distance above section I0 and terminate ininwardly extending horizontally disposed flanges 22 and 23 (Figures 1and 6). Disposed within housing I8 is a pressure member generallyindicated at 24 having a fiat bottom portion 25 resting upon the fiatside of section I0 opposite bottom I9 of housing I 8. Thus, section I0is embraced on its opposite sides by the flat parts I9 and 25 and mightbe described as threaded therebetween. Flat portion 25 of member 24 ispreferably quite large in area (see Figures 4 and 6) so that whenpressure is exerted thereagainst it is distributed over a comparativelylarge portion of section I0.

Extending upwardly from fiat portion 25 of member 24 is a pair of ears26 and 21 having slots 28 and 29 formed therein, as best seen in Figures4 and 6. A pin 30 bridges side walls 20 and 2| and extends through slots28 and 29. Thus, pin 30 holds pressure member 24 loosely in positionwithin housing I8. Pressure member 24 also includes a verticallydis-posed hook portion 3| adjacent the righthand end thereof as Viewedin Figure 4. Hook portion 3| preferably takes the shape of an upwardlyextending flange substantially bridging the space between side walls 20and 2|. As best seen in Figures 4 and 5, hook portion 3| is spacedslightly in front of ears 26 and 21 to leave room for a catch element toslide therebetween in a manner to be pointed out more fully hereinafter.

Pivotally mounted upon pin 30 is a lever member generally indicated at32 having an arm portion 33, a collar portion 34 fitting about the pin,and a leg portion 35. Leg portion 35 and arm portion 33 are generallyright angular with res-pect to each other so that the leg portion is ina substantially vertical position when the arm portion is in asubstantially horizontal position as shown in Figure 4. Furthermore, thelength of leg portion 35 is so proportioned with respect to thethickness of pressure member 24 and section I0 that when the parts arein the closed position, shown in Figure 4 and described above, legportion 35 presses the pressure member into clamping relationship withsection Il). Arm portion 33 is of sufficient length to be easily movedinto the horizontal position to hold the clamp member in any desiredlocation and yet be easily When the arm portion 33 is movedsubstantially to the vertical position, as shown in Figure 5, legportion 35 is in substantially the horizontal position so that nopressure is exerted against pressure member 24 and thus the clamp membermay be moved to any desired position along section I0.

Referring now to Figures 4 and 5, latch part I6 includes a flat topfoundation piece 36 having side walls 31 and 38. As best shown inFigures 4 and 8, foundation piece 36 terminates at one end in a flatportion 36a substantially the width of lbracelet section II. The end ofsection I| is soldered or otherwise rigidly secured to portion 36a ofthe foundation piece in a manner to be more fully described hereinafter.As best shown in Figures 5 and 7, one end of foundation piece 36 hasformed thereon a vertical ange portion 42 extending substantiallythroughout the width thereof (Figure 8). Furthermore, side walls 31 and38 terminate short of the front of foundation piece 36 (Figure 8)leaving slots 43 and 44 between side walls 31 and 38 respectively andflange portion 42.

Side walls 31 and 38 have formed therein suitable slotsthrough whichextend latch elements generally indicated at and 4B as best shown inFigure 8. Thus, these latch elements include beveled parts 41 and 48extending through the side walls and arm portions 49 and 50 adjacent theinner sides of the side Walls. A spring 5| disposed within foundationpiece 36 is secured to arm portions 49 and 58 in any suitable manner andproportioned to exert outward pressure against the latch elements.Preferably a pair of linger pieces generally indicated at 52 and 53extend through side walls 31 and 38 and are connected to arm portions 48and 50. Finger pieces 52 and 53 are preferably of substantial length sothat they may be easily grasped and pressed inwardly. Such inwardpressure of the linger pieces moves latch elements 45 and 46 within sidewalls 31 and 38.

Desirably, finger pieces 52 and 53 take a peculiar shape particularlyadapted for the convenience of the wearer. Thus, in lateral dimensionsthey have enlarged lateral portions 52a and 53a from which they curveinwardly terminating in narrow portions 52h and 53h. Due to the factthat in normal position these finger pieces are apt to be close to thehair on the wearers wrist, some inconvenience might be caused byinadvertently grasping the hair with the fingers when attempting toeiect release.

- However, I have found that by providing linger pieces which generallyhave half the shape of a tear drop when viewed laterally, the hair slipsbetween the fingers and the finger pieces thus eliminating thisannoyance.

After clamp member I1 has been secured in the desired position alongsection I0, latch part I6 may be attached thereto simply by fitting angeportion 42 over hook portion 3| in interlitting relationship and by thesame movement latch elements 45 and 46 are moved inwardly by anges 22and 23 due to the beveled portions 41 and 48. When the parts reach theassembled position shown in Figure 4, latch elements 45 and 46 snapoutwardly underneath flanges 22 and 23 (Figure 7) thus preventing anyvertical displacement of clamp member I1 and latch part I6. Lateraldisplacement is prevented by the side walls of clamp member I1 as wellas the intertting flange portion 42 and hook portion 3|.

Referring to Figure 1, it will be seen that when the clamp member I1 andlatch part I6 are connected, nger pieces 52 and 53 lie adjacent one endof side walls 20 and 2| of the clamp member. Thus, the finger pieces arefully exposed and readily accessible for release when this is desired.Furthermore, liange portion 42 and hook portion 3| may be madesufficiently sturdy to withstand a considerable displacing force inlongitudinal directions and the latch portion is amply held in positionagainst vertical displacement by latch elements 45 and 46. Accordingly,the device may be easily operated for connection or disconnection butwhen in the connected position it is reliable and secure againstinadvertent displacement.

As noted above, the end Ila of section Il is soldered to portion 36a oftop foundation piece 36. It is important to have a rigid connectionbetween these parts so that latch elements I6 may be easily forced intothe locking position shown in Figure 2. I have provided a unique methodfor further reinforcing this rigid connection and also to enclose thespring I and associated parts shown in Figure 8. Thus, as shown inFigure 9, end lla of the section Il is first soldered into theabove-described position. Next a bottom plate generally indicated at 4l(Figure fits over spring 5I and Vconnected parts between side walls 31and 38. A portion da of the bottom plate adjacent and above end Ila ofsection H extends laterally, as best shown in Figure 10, terminating atits opposite sides adjacent a pair of ears 39 and 4D which arepreferably an integral part of the foundation piece 36. Furthermore,bottom lplate 4| is bent inwardly to form a vertical wall portiongenerally indicated at 54 (Figure 5) to hold spring 5| in a straightline position. After bottom plate 4| has been placed in theabove-described position, ears 39 and 40 are bent inwardly upon portion41a thereof to complete the assembly as shown in Figure 11. In thismanner, spring 5l and associated parts are enclosed within foundationpiece 36 and a very rigid and reliable connection is provided betweenthe foundation piece and section Il.

It will thus be shown that I have provided a thoroughly practical andeificient construction and method in which the several objectshereinabove referred to are efficiently accomplished.

As many possible embodiments may be made of the mechanical features ofthe above invention and as the art herein described might be varied invarious parts, all without departing from the scope of the invention, itis to be understood that all matter hereinabove set forth, or shown inthe accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative and notin a limiting sense.

I claim:

1. In a device of the character described, in

combination, a bracelet catch comprising two individual sections, one ofsaid sections including a channel member shaped so that a section of aflat bracelet may slide therein, said channelshaped member having yabottom portion and a pair of side walls, a floating member mounted onsaid first-mentioned member and adapted to engage the side of saidbracelet opposite that engaged by the bottom portion of said channelmember, means pivotally connected to said side wall and including a partadapted to engage and force said floating member into clampingrelationship with said bracelet, a hook portion formed on and extendingfrom one of said members and having its free end positioned outwardlyfrom said bracelet, a pair of projections formed on said side walls, ahook portion formed on said second section and shaped to intert with thehook portion of said first-mentioned section,

latch means yieldingly extending from the sides of said second-mentionedsection and adapted to interlock with the projections of said firstsections when said sections are hooked together, and finger piecesextending from the sides of said second-mentioned section and connectedto said latch means, said sections being proportioned so that saidfinger pieces are exposed when said members are in hooked relationship.

2. In a device of the character described, in combination, a braceletcatch comprising two individual sections, one of said sections includinga channel member shaped so that a section of a flat bracelet may slidetherein, said channelshaped member having a bottom portion and a pair ofside walls, a floating member mounted on said first-mentioned member andadapted to engage the side of said bracelet opposite that engaged by thebottom portion of said channel member, a pin secured to said side wallsand spanning the space therebetween, a lever pivotally mounted on saidpin and including a part adapted when said lever is pivoted to engageand force said floating member into clamping relationship with saidbracelet, a hook formed on and extending from said floating member andhaving its free end positioned outwardly from the bottom portion of saidchannel member, a projection formed on each of said side Walls andextending therefrom toward one another, a hook formed on said secondsection and shaped to intert with the hook on said first-mentionedsection, latch means resiliently mounted on said second section andextending from the sides thereof, said latch means being adapted tointerlock with the projections on said rst section when said sectionsare hooked together, and means extending from said second section andconnected to said latch means and exposed for manual operation when saidmembers are in hooked relationship.

3. In a device of the character described, in combination, a braceletcatch comprising two individual interlockable sections, one of saidsections being channel-shaped and accordingly having a bottom portionwith side walls extending from opposite sides thereof, a pin connectedto said side walls and spanning the space therebetween, a floatingmember having a flat bottom and slotted ears extending therefrom, saidfloating member being disposed in said channel member so that said pinis disposed in said slot whereby said floating member is capable ofmovement toward and away from the bottom oi' said channel member, meanspivotally mounted on said pin and including a part engageable with thebottom of said floating member to force said floating member toward thebottom of said channel member when said means are pivoted in onedirection, a hook formed on said floating member and extendingsubstantially at right angles from the bottom thereof, a hook formed onsaid second section and shaped to interlock with said first hook whensaid sections are connected, and cooperating manually operable latchelements formed on said sections for holding said sections in connectedrelationship when said hooks are interlocked.

EUGEN PRESTINARI.

